In this poem Pope seems to reckon with the publick. He vindicates himself from censures; and with dignity, rather than arrogance, enforces his own claims to kindness and respect.
Into this poem are interwoven several paragraphs which had been before printed as a fragment, and among them the satirical lines upon Addison, of which the last couplet has been twice corrected. It was at first,
Who would not smile if such a man there be?
Who would not laugh if Addison were he?
Then,
Who would not grieve if such a man there be?
Who would not laugh if Addison were he?
At last it is,
Who but must laugh if such a man there be?
Who would not weep if Atticus were he?
He was at this time at open war with Lord Hervey, who had distinguished himself as a steady adherent to the Ministry; and being offended with a contemptuous answer to one of his pamphlets[1], had summoned
- ↑ Intitled "Sedition and Defamation displayed," 8vo. 1733. R.
